Now’s the time to double down on local. There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world and our small businesses are feeling the pressure. One thing remains steady: our community. Amherst is a place of rich history, a dynamic downtown, and a strong sense of community. Business owners, artists, makers, and workers: Keep going. Keep creating. Keep leaning on your fellow locals and reach out to the BID for support. And Community members: Remember, every time you choose to spend locally you help someone grow their dream, support their team, and continue doing what they love. Let’s move through this the Amherst way: together. Both a tight-knit “small town” and a global village — we are STRONGER TOGETHER.
As we close out the summer, I encourage you to come spend some time with us in downtown. Here’s just a few items to highlight: savor our outdoor dining parklets for a coffee, cocktail, or delicious bite of global cuisine, enjoy live music in our public greenspaces and at The Drake, catch a film at Amherst Cinema, or browse the selections at Amherst Books or Mystery Train Records. You can shop for clothes or shoes at Zanna, Amythest Gems, Clay’s, Art of Intimates, or Julie Nolan Jewelry, just to name a few.
Need another reason? We host a Thursday afternoon artisan market in front of Town Hall and Farmers Market every Saturday on the Common. In summer, parking and reservation are easy to come by. Come on down and join us in the heart of Amherst!
John Page, executive director of the Amherst Business Improvement District
Amherst